Distinguished - Devises a specific research question that is clear and is narrowly defined to be useful in guiding a research study.

Proficient - Devises a research question that is somewhat clear but that could be more specific and narrowly defined.

Basic - Devises a research question that may be too broad to guide a research study.

Below Expectations - Attempts to devise a research question, but the focus of the question is unclear.

Non-Performance - The devised research question on an aspect of the topic selected is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Formulates a clear and testable research hypothesis which identifies the operational independent and dependent variables involved.

Proficient - Formulates a research hypothesis that is clear but uses conceptual instead of operational definitions for variables.

Basic - Formulates a hypothesis that is somewhat clear but may not be testable.

Below Expectations - Attempts to formulate a hypothesis, but the focus is unclear and the hypothesis is not testable.

Non-Performance - The formulation of a testable research hypothesis is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies a research design category that is clearly suitable for studying the research question.

Proficient - Identifies a research design category that is somewhat suitable for studying the research question.

Basic - Identifies a research design category that may be suitable for the research question if minor adjustments are made to the question.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify a research design category suitable for the research question, but the identification is either unsuitable or unclear.

Non-Performance - The identification of a suitable research design category for studying the research question is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains the reasoning for choosing the research design category, fully supporting the explanation with citations from the textbook and scholarly sources.

Proficient - Explains the reasoning for choosing the research design category, supporting the explanation with citations from the textbook and scholarly sources. Minor details are missing.

Basic – Minimally explains the reasoning for choosing the research design category, fully somewhat supporting the explanation with citations from the textbook and scholarly sources. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the reasoning for choosing the research design category; however, does not support the explanation with citations from the textbook and scholarly sources, and/or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation for why the chosen research design category is appropriate is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.   

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.